Had a discussion about this with some friends after their loss yesterday -- the big concern was that despite having 4 int'l champions and a young talent in zekken, they weren't able to make it work. That being said, the current roster only existed for since May (so just over 2 months), so the question becomes whether the team can gel in the offseason.
Let's say they do and they perform much better next season -- perhaps qualify for Masters. Then no changes are needed. But, let's say they don't, and they go 4-5 or worse again. What might happen? JUST TO MAKE IT CLEAR -- THIS ASSUMES NO ROSTER CHANGES UNTIL AFTER LCQ NEXT YEAR. With this org administration who tf knows if they'll suddenly drop someone for no reason. If they do this post is immediately moot.
Scenario 1: kaplan is dropped
SEN and coaching -- a relationship that has never worked sadly. They drop Sykko mid-season to some mixed results. Honestly, SEN is suffering the same problem I keep saying for 100T: a star-studded roster that just isn't working, and a likely culprit is the coach if they don't improve. Again, it might be too early to tell since this roster is two months old. But, he might be first on the chopping block based on this org's previous behavior if SEN don't make playoffs next season.
What I hope actually happens: kaplan and drewspark cook something up in the offseason and SEN improves off that alone
What might happen if the scenario becomes true: I have no idea bro, I just hope they'd bring in a solid coach and not some old CS player (looking at DFM)
Scenario 2: either Pancada or Marved are benched/transferred elsewhere
I really like both Pancada and Marved, and I do remember Pancada saying in an interview (maybe?) that he doesn't like playing controller. But, it's felt clear to me that his sentinel play pales in comparison to the powerhouse he was as an Astra player in 2022. Statistically he's done better when he played Viper than when he played KJ since the start of the season. (Cypher is an outlier since he's only done two maps with him.) There's no denying that both Pan and Marved were two of the top 5, maybe even top 3 controllers itw in 2022, and while they've tried to make it work the org might want to drop one of them to make way for a stronger sentinel player.
What I hope actually happens: role switches depending on map -- Pancada takes the Astra on Astra maps, Marved takes the other controllers on the other maps. No one dropped. Pancada viper + Marved second smokes whenever icebox and breeze return to the pool.
What likely happens if the scenario becomes true: Pancada is benched and would likely return to Loud unless Tuyz drastically improves. Marved solo controller + igl is hard to replace already.
Scenario 3: TenZ retires from pro play
Since Masters 2021 TenZ has had a very, very rocky road in his pro career, including his fiancee's diagnosis, which hurts more because he and Kyedae are around my age. I don't know why, but I can't get the idea out of my head that TenZ could retire by the end of 2024 if SEN doesn't go to Champs. I can understand if he does, though. He's had a lucrative career, is a known name in the Valorant scene and forever will be, and he could spend more time focusing on Kyedae if her condition were to get worse (god forbid) with a more flexible streaming schedule. I know SEN themselves will never drop him on their own accord because of how integral he is to the brand and fanbase, so the only way TenZ would leave is if he leaves on his own.
What I hope actually happens: TenZ becomes a very strong initiator as implied with his kayo play in LCQ, eliminating another role clash and helping the team for another two+ years
What might happen if this scenario becomes true: SEN Verno. He'll be of age to join VCT and has shown some huge potential in OXG as a main initiator.
As it stands Sacy and zekken should be safe no matter what unless they hard throw next year. If Pancada leaves Sacy might as well if they consider themselves a package deal like Victor+crashies. zekken just needs to stay off raze whenever he can, his jett is pretty strong.
I welcome any thoughts, opinions, and other scenarios you might've thought of. these were just scenarios I made up in my head while I was bored at work
(also inb4 allat. some light formatting edits too)
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